The Chamber of Commerce has defended having Jamaican Prime Minister P.J. Patterson as guest speaker at its 40th anniversary dinner on Saturday night.
And Chamber president, Mr. Joey Hew, said it was an honour to have him attend the event.
Mr. Patterson spoke out on the issue of Cayman introducing visas for Jamaican nationals and warned that legal Jamaican citizens should not be discriminated against.
His controversial comments provoked a heated and mixed reaction in the community.
‘Mr. Patterson’s speech reflected his views as Prime Minster of Jamaica and an internationally respected Caribbean leader, especially on issues such as CARICOM,’ said Mr. Hew. ‘It was an honour to have our invitation accepted.’
Mr. Hew said he was disappointed by some comments expressed on radio talk shows yesterday about Mr. Patterson’s speech.
‘His speech did not reflect the views of the Chamber, its council or myself,’ he told the Caymanian Compas.
‘Over all, the event, which was attended by around 400 people, was a tremendous success.’
Mr. Hew also pointed out that Mr. Patterson had paid his own expenses, including security, to attend the Chamber dinner.
It was the Jamaican Prime Minister’s first visit to the Cayman Islands since he took up office in 1992.
He arrived in Cayman on Friday, the day after the date on which the Government originally proposed to introduce visas for Jamaican nationals.
No new date has been announced.
During his speech Mr. Patterson inferred that, if the visas are introduced, then Jamaica could also alter its own immigration policies.
‘Jamaica fully respects the rights of any administration, whether dependent or sovereign, to apply appropriate immigration controls,’ he told the Chamber dinner.
‘However Jamaica equally reserves the right to effect such changes as are necessary to protect its borders and citizens affected by visa requirements elsewhere.’
Mr. Robert Hamaty, Honorary Jamaican Consul, also defended Mr. Patterson’s speech at the Chamber dinner.
‘Some critics felt that he should not have commented on the pending visa requirements being implemented by the government but I personally fail to see how that could be avoided as it is a very sensitive and important issue affecting the people who he represents as the leader of their country,’ he said.
‘He also made it profoundly clear that the Cayman Islands’ government had a right to implement its immigration policies like any other sovereign or independent nation and that Jamaica also reserves the right to do like wise.
‘I have been asked if that means Caymanians will require a visa to visit Jamaica. I am not privileged to that information as that would be a government decision through the Prime Minister’ s office, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and National Security and Justice.
‘The Prime Minister thoroughly enjoyed his visit and had an extensive island tour.’
The two countries have traditionally enjoyed a close relationship, with Cayman being a dependent of Jamaica until 1962.
There are strong family, social and economic ties between the islands.
And many embassies and consulate offices, which affect people in the Cayman Islands, are in Kingston.
The move to introduce visa for Jamaican nationals is part of a strategy to combat crime in Cayman which has spiralled over the last 12 months.
The Chamber of Commerce suggested introducing visas for nationals from high risk countries as its leading strategy in the fight against crime.
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